resume - heather houston - graduate mnm application

Heather A. Houston Cell: 612-‐280-‐9973 [email protected]

Targeting Educational and Professional Positions Involving Nonprofit Organization Serving Under-‐Represented Populations:

COMMUNITY OUTREACH / ENHANCEMENT w SOCIAL VITALITY / SUSTAINABILITY w COMMUNICATION DEVELOPMENT w PROJECT / PROGRAM MANAGEMENT

PROGRAM COORDINATION

Immediate Value Offered § Passionate, internationally-‐travelled educator and volunteer with extensive experience fostering positive relationships with

diverse individuals and groups. § Able to build rapport and earn trust utilizing cultural sensitivity, excellent intercultural communication, compassion, grace,

composure under stress and humor when appropriate. § Successfully develop and achieve strategic outcomes and generate common ground thinking by creating a shared vision and

facilitating constructive team communication, morale and effectiveness.

Academic Achievement & Professional Development University of Alaska — Anchorage, AK | 5/2009 B.A. Sociology, Minor: Human Ecology and Linguistics Graduated with highest honors: Magna Cum Laude Professional Development Courses § Oxford Learning Institute, Digital Marketing Management, 11/2013 § University of Virginia, New Models of Business in Society, 10/2013 § Portland Community College, Nonprofit Management & Fundraising Essentials, 9/2013 § Wesleyan University, Social Psychology, 9/2013

Maximo Nivel Guatemala — Antigua, Guatemala | 9/2012 TEFL / TESOL Certification On-‐site 150 hours / Internationally Accredited Program / 10 hours of practical teaching

University of Alaska (in partnership with OTC Bicycle Co-‐op) — Anchorage, AK | 7/2008 Professional Grant Development Workshop

Relevant Academic, Non-‐Profit & Community Experience

Self-‐Employed and Independently Contracted – Various Locations, North & Central America Freelance Writer, International Volunteer, Online TEFL Instructor, & Immersive Traveler, 4/2014 -‐ Present • Contribute various forms of written support to outside organizations covering a wide range of subject matter, largely regarding

domestic and global social justice issues, the travel industry and travel experience, and macroeconomics. Proficiently develop written content, articles and blogs, as well as provide copywriting and editing services within contracted time constrains.

• Provide clients with valuable insight, perspective and objective information actively garnered from a zealous engagement with, research on, and exposure to various cities, states, and countries, specifically through continuous cultural immersion, international work in education, multi-‐sector volunteerism, and the diligent following of current events and issues.


Relevant Academic, Non-‐Profit & Community Experience, continued… Private Family, contracted by Great AuPair Staffing Agency — Portland, OR & Spokane, WA Personal Assistant & Child Caregiver/Educator, 1/2013 to 4/2014 • Manage all daily, household functions and support the administrative needs of the family, including, but not limited to,

overseeing childcare and educational support, event coordination, general household finances, personal shopping, culinary oversight, garden landscaping, and pet care.

• As primary caregiver, foster a consistent and nurturing environment for educational and personal growth, focused on creating, implementing, and evaluating individual developmental programs and activities for three young children (ages 5-‐8) with varying special needs.

Maximo Nivel — Guatemala TEFL Teacher, 9/2012 to 1/2013 350 hours of classroom instruction. § Organized lesson plans and executed classroom instruction for multiple classroom levels, types, age levels and personal needs. § Operated within the organizational structure, while also incorporating individual personality and creative flexibility to create a

dynamic classroom experience. § Worked cooperatively in a team environment to achieve institutional goals and organize collaborative activities. § Provided supplemental services for students needing additional language support.

Long Way Home — Guatemala Environmental Education Coordinator, 5/2012 to 8/2012 § Volunteered on sustainable development and building project in the Guatemalan highlands, with a specific focus on garden

schools and environmental education.

Off the Chain Bicycle Collective — Anchorage, AK Development and Organization Coordinator, 8/2006 to 1/2012 § Maintained local non-‐profit bicycle educational group’s development and sustainability, including financial health, membership

and volunteer support, and technical and legal standards associated with organizational continuance. § Played an integral role in community outreach, including bi-‐weekly art and bike education classes at the Mountain View Boys

and Girls Club.

Portland YouthBuilders — Portland, OR Program Operations Coordinator, 9/2009 to 5/2010 § As an AmeriCorps volunteer, worked on capacity building and program evaluation/creation. Redesigned the existing reading

curriculum in favor of a comprehensive literacy program that could be implemented across disciplines to improve the outcomes for students transitioning to postsecondary educational endeavors.

§ Evaluated the attendance procedures in an attempt to provide successful early intervention to students at risk for chronic absenteeism.

USGS Alaska Science Center — Anchorage, AK Outreach Coordinator / Administrative Assistant, 4/2008 to 8/2009 § Developed partnerships and Alaska Science Center activities that actively engaged the community in USGS science, and played

an integral role in both the research and public communication of sensitive climate change issues concerning Alaska. § Generated ties that positioned the center as a leader during social and environmental changes, including involvement in ‘Get

Outdoors, Anchorage!’ and the U-‐ Med Green Initiative. § Supported multi-‐branch federal agency, including intergovernmental liasoning, marketing design and coordination, and

comprehensive administrative assistance.


Relevant Academic, Non-‐Profit & Community Experience, continued… Juneau Montessori School — Juneau, AK Primary Teaching Assistant, 8/2007 to 5/2008 • Provided academic and creative support to the primary instructor and approximately 13 to 15 preschool aged children in

accordance with Montessori principles and methodology. • Developed an engaging and substantive aftercare program, including the creation of environmental education curriculum and

outdoor excursions that appropriately reflected Maria Montessori's goals and principles.

University of Alaska Sustainability Council — Anchorage and Juneau, AK Club President / Student Representative, 9/2006 to 5/2009 § Organized events to elevate awareness and educate on sustainability issues on campus and beyond. § Created a sense of community and advocated for social, environmental and economic sustainability within the university

system.

Complete Employment Background Orso — Anchorage, AK Dinner Server, 3/2013 to 8/2013 Gap while teaching for Maximo Nivel & volunteering for Long Way Home in Guatemala

Amis, Talula’s Garden, and Russet – Philadelphia, PA Server, 8/2010 to 5/2012

Gap while doing nonprofit work for USGS, YouthBuilders & OTC Bicycle Collective Rainbow Foods Cooperative Grocery and Café — Juneau, AK Assistant Produce Manager, 6/2007 to 3/2008

Additional Volunteer Experience

Volunteer and Independent Contractor Virtual ESL Language Support, 3/2013 to Present • Utilize virtual technology (Skype and Google Chat) to provide supplemental language comprehension and skill development

activities to international learners needing assistance in addition to, or independent of, formal classroom instruction.

Community Food Security Coalition: Building Bridges Towards Food Security Conference — Vancouver, British Columbia Panel Presenter, 10/2006 • Invited to deliver a presentation on the social and ecological ramifications of the corporate influence of Genetically Modified

Organisms.

University of Alaska Sustainability Curriculum Assessment Team — Anchorage, AK Volunteer, 8/2005 to 5/2006 • Helped design and implement a faculty survey to assess the feasibility of the incorporation of sustainability and systems theory

concepts within University curriculum.


Additional Volunteer Experience, continued… University of Alaska / EPA Sustainability Grant – Anchorage, Alaska Grant Project Developer, 9/2005 to 1/2006 • Developed an outreach program to educate the university population on sustainable food systems, and outlined a plan to

reduce the university's environmental dining footprint.

Of Note

Foreign Language: Spanish — High-‐intermediate skill level and comfortable conversational ability. Technology: Proficiency in both Macintosh and Windows operating systems and extensive knowledge of Microsoft Office program utilization.

resume - heather houston - graduate mnm application

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